French investigators charged Renault with deceiving on emissions in ongoing fallout from the diesel scandal that erupted when Volkswagen admitted to dishonest exams nearly six years in the past.

Renault should make a 20 million-euro ($24 million) bail fee and supply a 60 million-euro financial institution assure to cowl potential damages, fines and compensation for losses, the corporate stated in an announcement Tuesday.

Renault denies any wrongdoing.

It stated its autos “should not geared up with any rigging software program for air pollution management units,” including that it “has all the time complied with French and European laws.”

The costs spring from a judicial investigation opened in early 2017, days after VW settled prison and civil complaints with the U.S. VW pleaded responsible to conspiracy to defraud the federal government and obstruction of justice.

Renault has stated that not like VW, it hasn’t used unlawful units to activate emissions controls within the lab whereas permitting for extra air pollution in real-world driving.

“Renault deceived nobody,” Gilles Le Borgne, head of engineering, stated on a name with reporters. “What we all know from the VW case is in no way the identical for Renault. We don’t have defeat units in our automobiles and by no means had them.”

The accusations that Renault used a tool to detect emissions exams is “inaccurate and incomprehensible,” stated Le Borgne, who joined Renault final yr after working for rival PSA Group for 30 years.

The engines referred to within the probe had been in autos from 2009 to 2011 and 2013 to 2017, although the total scope of the investigation continues to be being outlined, he stated.

An official on the Paris prosecutor’s workplace confirmed Renault was charged with deceit involving a product that may endanger people or animals.

Along with scrutinizing Renault, French investigators have been conducting probes of VW, PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler. PSA and FCA merged earlier this yr to type Stellantis.

In France, investigative magistrates can cost corporations or people when there are “critical and constant” clues displaying probably involvement. They will then resolve whether or not to refer a case to trial however aren’t concerned after that stage.